Category ranking based on query fingerprints

ABSTRACT

A method and system for analyzing user behavior as users search for items within an electronic marketplace is provided. A query is submitted by a user of the electronic marketplace, the query is processed to identify a series of actions or behaviors performed by the user in relation to the query and fingerprint information for the query is determined based at least in part on analyzing the actions. In one embodiment, the electronic marketplace modifies a user experience for the user based on the fingerprint information. An interactive network region comprising search results related to a query issued by a user is generated, based on fingerprint information. Various categories of items related to a query issued by the user are identified based on fingerprint information and the search results are organized based on categories.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/217,003, filed Mar. 17, 2014, and issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,026,107 on Jul. 17, 2018, entitled “GENERATION AND CLASSIFICATION OFQUERY FINGERPRINTS”, and is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/217,021, filed Mar. 17, 2014, and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 9,727,614 on Aug. 8, 2017, entitled “IDENTIFYING QUERYFINGERPRINTS”, and is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/217,036, filed Mar. 17, 2014, and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 9,720,974 on Aug. 1, 2017, entitled “MODIFYING USER EXPERIENCEUSING QUERY FINGERPRINTS”.

This application is related to and incorporates by reference for allpurposes the full disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/290,826, filed May 29, 2014, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,760,930 onSep. 12, 2017, entitled “GENERATING MODIFIED SEARCH RESULTS BASED ONQUERY FINGERPRINTS” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/290,822,filed filed May 29, 2014, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,747,628 on Aug.29, 2017, entitled, “GENERATING CATEGORY LAYOUTS BASED ON QUERYFINGERPRINTS”.

BACKGROUND

It has become common for merchants to utilize an electronic forum thatprovides users with the ability to view and/or purchase items using anelectronic catalog of items. As an example, users may view informationrelated to an item in an electronic catalog by simply submitting asearch query for the item via a search engine. The search query maytypically include a set of words or phrases that a user enters whenlooking for information about a specific item. Oftentimes it is not easyfor a user to choose query terms that specifically represent informationabout an item. As a result, users tend to modify their initial queriesand submit new ones that more accurately reflect their informationneeds. In addition, users may also narrow or broaden their queriesduring a search session in the hope of getting better search results.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts aspects of an example system architecture 100 inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative system or architecture 200 that depictsaspects of an electronic marketplace system, described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example architecture 300 of a query fingerprintgeneration and classification service provided by an electronicmarketplace 310, in accordance with at least one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 400 forgenerating a query fingerprint for one or more queries submitted byusers of an electronic marketplace, described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 500 forevaluating fingerprint information for a query submitted by a user andclassifying the query based on the fingerprint information, describedherein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 600 formodifying a user experience for a user for a query submitted by the userbased on fingerprint information, described herein.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram depicting an example graphical userinterface by which a user can search for an item within an electronicmarketplace, described herein.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram depicting an example graphical userinterface by which a user can search for an item within an electronicmarketplace, described herein.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram depicting an example graphical userinterface by which a user can search for an item within an electronicmarketplace, described herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example architecture of the dynamic networkcontent generation module provided by the query fingerprint generationand classification service discussed in FIG. 3, in accordance with atleast one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which items of the search results are arranged inaccordance with a ‘list’ layout, based on fingerprint informationrelated to a query.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which items of the search results are arranged inaccordance with a ‘grid’ layout, based on fingerprint informationrelated to a query.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which items of the search results are arranged inaccordance with an ‘image’ layout, based on fingerprint informationrelated to a query.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which items of the search results are arranged ina ‘filmstrip’ of categories based on fingerprint information related toa query.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which the user may navigate between varioussub-categories in a ‘filmstrip’ of categories.

FIG. 16 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user based on identifying comparison terms in a query.

FIG. 17 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user based on identifying comparison terms in a query, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user based on identifying theme information in a query.

FIG. 19 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user based on identifying theme information in a query,in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 2000 formodifying search results based on fingerprint information related to aquery, described herein.

FIG. 21 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 2100 formodifying search results based on fingerprint information related to aquery, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 2200 formodifying search results based on fingerprint information related to aquery, described herein.

FIG. 23 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which items of the search results are organizedinto a set of categories based on fingerprint information related to aquery.

FIG. 24 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which items of the search results are organizedinto various sub-categories within a set of categories based onfingerprint information related to a query.

FIG. 25 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which items of the search results are overlayedon top of each other and aligned in a fixed width layout, based onfingerprint information related to a query.

FIG. 26 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which categories related to a query are organizedin a ranked order based on fingerprint information related to a query.

FIG. 27 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which a plurality of filters related to aplurality of categories of a query are presented to a user, based onfingerprint information related to a query.

FIG. 28 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which the user may navigate between variousfilers related to a category of a query.

FIG. 29 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 2900 formodifying search results presented to a user by identifying categoriesrelated to a query based on fingerprint information related to a query,described herein.

FIG. 30 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 3000 formodifying search results presented to a user by identifying categoriesrelated to a query based on fingerprint information related to a query,described herein.

FIG. 31 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which items of the search results are organizedinto a set of categories in an interactive network region in a networkpage based on fingerprint information related to a query.

FIG. 32 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which the user may navigate between variouscategories presented in an interactive network region.

FIG. 33 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 3300 formodifying search results presented to a user based on fingerprintinformation related to a query, described herein.

FIG. 34 illustrates an environment in which various embodiments can beimplemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various embodiments will be described. Forpurposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments.However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that theembodiments may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore,well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscurethe embodiment being described.

Some or all of the processes described herein, or variations and/orcombinations thereof may be performed under the control of one or morecomputer systems configured with executable instructions and may beimplemented as code (e.g., executable instructions, one or more computerprograms or one or more applications) executing collectively on one ormore processors, by hardware or combinations thereof. The code may bestored on a computer-readable storage medium, for example, in the formof a computer program comprising a plurality of instructions executableby one or more processors. The computer-readable storage medium may benon-transitory.

Techniques described herein include a method and system for analyzinguser behavior as a user searches for items, for example within anelectronic marketplace. In accordance with at least one embodiment, aquery is submitted by a user of the electronic marketplace, the query isprocessed to identify one or more actions or behaviors performed by theuser in relation to the query and fingerprint information for the queryis determined based at least in part on the query and the one or moreactions or behaviors. In some embodiments, a user experience for theuser is modified based at least in part on the fingerprint information.

In some examples, the actions performed by a user in relation to a querymay include, without limitation, a re-formulation of the query, a termswap, a term addition, a term deletion, an abandonment of the query, anitem detail page click, a refinement of the query, a scope change of thequery, and the like. For example, a re-formulation, a refinement or ascope change of a query may include a modification to search terms ofthe query by the user. Similarly, a term addition may include theaddition of one or more search terms to a query. A term deletion mayinclude the removal of one or more search terms to a query. An itemdetail page click may include the selection of an item in the electroniccatalog by the user, to view details about the item. As an example, anitem detail page may include details that characterize an item offeredfor sale in the electronic marketplace and may include information thatassists users (e.g., buyers) to decide between multiple alternativeoffers related to the item. Query abandonment may include an abandonmentof the query by the user.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, a plurality of fingerprintsare analyzed to form a classification system or database offingerprints. In one embodiment, a fingerprint for a query may berepresented as a vector of features comprising fingerprint information.The fingerprint information may, in some examples, identify one or moreactions performed by users in relation to a query during a searchsession. In other examples, the fingerprint information may alsoidentify time information. The time information may, in some examples,represent an average amount of time spent by one or more users whilebrowsing for information during a search session. Using thisclassification system or database, a new query can be classified withinthe classification system and handled accordingly, for example byanticipating actions of a user that submitted the query and modifyingthe user's experience accordingly.

In certain embodiments, a user may, via a computing device, submit asearch query for an item to a search engine provided by an electronicmarketplace website. The electronic marketplace may receive the querysubmitted by the user and access a classification database havingfingerprint information. In one example, the electronic marketplace maythen determine fingerprint information for the query by comparing thefingerprint information in the classification database to an actionperformed by the user in relation to the query. In one embodiment, theelectronic marketplace may then determine a classification for the querybased on the fingerprint information. In some embodiments, theelectronic marketplace may modify a user experience for the user basedat least in part on the fingerprint information.

Modifying a user's experience, in some examples, may include modifyingsearch results presented to the user by arranging items of the searchresults in accordance with one or more layouts and/or views based onquery fingerprint information. Modifying search results may includegenerating an interactive network region comprising the search resultsrelated to a query issued by a user, based on fingerprint information.In some examples, modifying search results may include identifyingvarious categories of items related to a query issued by the user basedon fingerprint information, organizing the search results based oncategories, ordering the categories based on fingerprint information andidentifying a subset of items related to a subset of categories (e.g.,the most popular categories) in the search results.

In at least one limiting example, a user on a computing device interactswith an electronic marketplace website via a browser application on thecomputing device by submitting a query (e.g., ‘Shoes’) via a searchinterface provided by the electronic marketplace website. The electronicmarketplace may identify a subsequent action that the user is likely toperform in relation to the query ‘shoes’ based on fingerprintinformation stored in the classification database. As an example, theelectronic marketplace may identify that a subsequent action may be a‘term addition’ to the query that describes, for example, additionalcharacteristics of the query ‘Shoes’ such as a color, size, particularbrand of the shoes and the like. In one embodiment, the electronicmarketplace may dynamically modify search results presented to the userto include items related to these additional characteristics. In oneexample, the search results presented to the user may be modified byarranging the items of the search result as a ‘list’ of scrollableitems, based on the fingerprint information. In other examples, thesearch results presented to the user may be modified by arranging theitems of the search result in a two-dimensional, scrollable ‘grid’layout, based on the fingerprint information or by displaying ‘images’of the items of the search result, based on the fingerprint information.

In at least one limiting example, a user on a computing device interactswith an electronic marketplace website via a browser application on thecomputing device by submitting a query (e.g., ‘Games) via a searchinterface provided by the electronic marketplace website. The electronicmarketplace determines a fingerprint for the query based on fingerprintinformation stored in the classification database. For example, thefingerprint for the query may indicate a set of actions performed by aplurality of users of the electronic marketplace in relation to thequery ‘Games’ such as, for example, a re-formulation of the query to‘Video Games,’ a term addition to the query, such as ‘Apps for VideoGames,’ a term deletion in the query to just, ‘Toys and Games,’ and soon. In one embodiment, the electronic marketplace may identify variouscategories related to the query based on the identified search terms,‘Video Games,’ ‘Apps for Video Games,’ ‘Toys and Games’ in the queryfingerprint and generate an interactive network region comprising a‘filmstrip’ of categories related to the query based on these searchterms. In embodiments, the electronic marketplace may modify the searchresults presented to the user by providing information for rendering anetwork page comprising the various identified categories arranged in a‘filmstrip’ to the user based on the query fingerprint.

In at least one limiting example, a user on a computing device interactswith an electronic marketplace website via a browser application on thecomputing device by submitting a query (e.g., ‘Best home theatersystem’) via a search interface provided by the electronic marketplacewebsite. In accordance with one embodiment, the electronic marketplacemay identify the term ‘Best’ in the query as a comparison term andidentify a list of comparable items related to the query based onfingerprint information related to the query. For example, theelectronic marketplace may determine that fingerprint informationrelated to the query ‘Best home theater system’ includes one or morere-formulations of the query to ‘Top reviewed home theater systems,’‘Most reviewed for home theatre systems,’ and the like. In oneembodiment, the electronic marketplace may identify terms such as ‘Top,’‘Most reviewed,’ and the like as comparison terms and generate aninteractive network region comprising a ‘filmstrip’ of information thatidentifies a list of comparable items such as ‘#1 Best Seller,’ ‘TopReviewed,’ ‘Most Wished For,’ and ‘Special Offer,’ home theater systems,based on the fingerprint information.

In at least one limiting example, a user on a computing device interactswith an electronic marketplace website via a browser application on thecomputing device by submitting a query (e.g., ‘Star Wars’) via a searchinterface provided by the electronic marketplace website. In oneembodiment, the electronic marketplace may dynamically modify searchresults presented to the user by identifying theme information in thequery and identifying items that correspond to various characteristicsof the theme based on the query fingerprint. As an example, the itemsmay include various characteristics of the theme of the query such as‘Movies #,’ ‘T-shirts #,’ ‘Collectibles #,’ ‘Sales & Deals #,’ ‘Costumes#,’ ‘Games #,’ ‘Legos #,’ and the like. In some embodiments, theelectronic marketplace may be configured to arrange the items in atleast one of a grid layout, a list layout or an image layout in anetwork page rendered to the user based on the theme.

FIG. 1 depicts aspects of an example system architecture 100 inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thearchitecture 100 includes an electronic marketplace 112 communicativelyconnected to one or more user computing devices 102, 104, 106 and 108via a network 110. The electronic marketplace 112 may present items forsale from one or more sellers and facilitate transactions (e.g.,financial transactions) with respect to the items. A user of theelectronic marketplace 112 may view and/or order items from theelectronic marketplace 112 using one or more of the computing devices102, 104, 106 and 108. In one embodiment, the electronic marketplace 112may be hosted by one or more service provider computers, describedherein. An exemplary implementation of the electronic marketplace inaccordance with at least one embodiment is described below in moredetail with reference to FIG. 2.

In architecture 100, one or more users (i.e., electronic marketplaceconsumers or web browser users) may utilize a browser application orother web application on the user computing devices 102, 104, 106 and108 to interact with an electronic marketplace website which may behosted, managed, and/or provided by the electronic marketplace 112,described herein. As an example, users may interact with the electronicmarketplace website to search for, browse for, or purchase items fromthe electronic marketplace 112. As described herein, an item may includea physical item of manufacture, a media item, a digital item (for e.g.,music, movie or software), and/or a service (e.g., a virtual computerthat provides specific services to users) or other items for purchase orselection via a networked environment.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the electronic marketplace112 may be configured to perform one or more operations to receive oneor more queries Q1, Q2, Q3 . . . Qn issued by one or more users on usercomputing devices 102, 104, 106 and 108 and store the queries in a userbehavior database 114. In one embodiment, the user behavior database 114may maintain time-stamped search query histories of search queriessubmitted by users of the electronic marketplace during a searchsession. In other examples, the user behavior database 114 may alsomaintain item browse histories and item purchase histories of users ofthe electronic marketplace. The item browse histories may identify itemsselected by users for viewing and indicate the date and time for eachsuch item browse event. The item purchase histories may identify all theitems purchased by users of the electronic marketplace and theassociated dates of purchase.

In one embodiment, the electronic marketplace 112 may access the searchquery histories stored in the user behavior database 114 to identify aquery submitted by users of the electronic marketplace. The electronicmarketplace 114 may then perform one or more operations to identify aseries of actions performed by the users in relation to the query duringa search session. The actions may include, for example, a re-formulationof the query, a term swap, a term addition, a term deletion, anabandonment of the query, an item detail page click, a refinement of thequery, a scope change of the query, and the like. The electronicmarketplace 114 may then generate fingerprint information for the query118 based at least in part on analyzing the actions.

In certain embodiments, the fingerprint information for each query maybe stored in a query classification database 116. In accordance with atleast one embodiment, the electronic marketplace 112 may be configuredto determine a classification for the query 120 based at least in parton the fingerprint information and store the classification informationin the query classification database 116. In one example, a querysubmitted by the user may be classified as a ‘Broad’ query, a‘Well-defined query’, a ‘Brand query’, and the like based on thefingerprint information. Additional details regarding the generation andclassification of fingerprint information related to queries submittedby users of an electronic marketplace is discussed in detail in relationto FIG. 3.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the electronic marketplace112 may be configured to perform one or more operations to evaluate afingerprint for a query and modify a user experience for the user 122based on the fingerprint. As an example, the electronic marketplace 112may receive a first query submitted by a user of a user device (e.g.,102). The electronic marketplace may then access a classificationdatabase having fingerprint information. In one example, the electronicmarketplace may determine fingerprint information for the query bycomparing the fingerprint information in the classification database tothe action performed by the user in relation to the query. Theelectronic marketplace may then modify a user experience for the userbased at least in part on the fingerprint information. Additionaldetails regarding evaluating a fingerprint for a query modifying auser's experience based on fingerprint information is discussed indetail in relation to FIG. 4.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative system or architecture 200 that depictsaspects of an electronic marketplace system, described herein. Inarchitecture 200, one or more users 202 (i.e., electronic marketplaceconsumers or web browser users) may utilize user computing devices204(1)-(N) (collectively, user devices 204) to access a browserapplication 206 (e.g., a web browser) or a user interface accessiblethrough the browser application 206 via one or more networks 208.

In some aspects, the browser application 206 may be configured toreceive, store, and/or display a website (e.g., an electronicmarketplace website), or other interface on a display screen of the userdevices 204. The browser application 206 may be hosted, managed, and/orprovided by an electronic marketplace, such as by utilizing the serviceprovider computers 210. In accordance with at least one embodiment, inaddition to accessing the browser application 206 to view the electronicmarketplace website, the users 202 may also utilize one or more nativeapplications (e.g., a software application program) developed for use ona particular platform compatible with the user devices 204 to access theelectronic marketplace website. The one or more service providercomputers 210 may, in some examples, provide computing resources suchas, but not limited to, data storage, data access, management,virtualization, cloud-based software solutions, electronic contentperformance management, and the like. The one or more service providercomputers 210 may also be operable to provide web hosting, computerapplication development, and/or implementation platforms, combinationsof the foregoing, or the like to the one or more users 202.

In some examples, the networks 208 may include any one or a combinationof many different types of networks, such as cable networks, theInternet, wireless networks, cellular networks and other private and/orpublic networks. While the illustrated example represents the users 202accessing the browser application 206 over the networks 208, thedescribed techniques may equally apply in instances where the users 202interact with the service provider computers 210 via the one or moreuser devices 204 over a landline phone, via a kiosk, or in any othermanner. It is also noted that the described techniques may apply inother client/server arrangements (e.g., set-top boxes, etc.), as well asin non-client/server arrangements (e.g., locally stored applications,etc.).

As described briefly above, the browser application 206 may allow theusers 202 to interact with the service provider computers 210 (e.g., viathe electronic marketplace website), such as to search for, browse foror purchase items offered by the electronic marketplace, describedherein. The one or more service provider computers 210, perhaps arrangedin a cluster of servers or as a server farm, may host the electronicmarketplace website and/or cloud-based software services. Other serverarchitectures may also be used to host the electronic marketplacewebsite and/or cloud-based software services. The browser application206 may be capable of handling requests from many users 202 and serving,in response, various user interfaces that can be rendered at the userdevices. In one example, the browser application 206 may be capable ofreceiving search queries from one or more users 204, and in response tothe search queries, render network content (e.g., a web page) thatincludes hypertext information (e.g., information formatted inaccordance with a hypertext markup language such as HTML) about an itemlisted (e.g., offered for sale) in an electronic marketplace system. Thebrowser application 206 can also provide any type of website thatsupports user interaction, including search engine sites. The describedtechniques may similarly be implemented outside of the browserapplication 206, such as with other applications running on the userdevices 204.

The user devices 204 may be any type of computing device such as, butnot limited to, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a thin-clientdevice, a tablet PC, an electronic book (e-book) reader, etc. In someexamples, the user devices 204 may be in communication with the serviceprovider computers 210 via the networks 208, or via other networkconnections. Additionally, the user devices 204 may be part of thedistributed system managed by, controlled by, or otherwise part of theservice provider computers 210.

In one illustrative configuration, the user devices 204 may include atleast one memory 212 and one or more processing units (or processor(s))214. The processor(s) 214 may be implemented as appropriate in hardware,computer-executable instructions, firmware, or combinations thereof.Computer-executable instruction or firmware implementations of theprocessor(s) 214 may include computer-executable or machine-executableinstructions written in any suitable programming language to perform thevarious functions described.

The memory 212 may store program instructions that are loadable andexecutable on the processor(s) 214, as well as data generated during theexecution of these programs. Depending on the configuration and type ofuser device 204, the memory 212 may be volatile (such as random accessmemory (RAM)) and/or non-volatile (such as read-only memory (ROM), flashmemory, etc.). The user device 204 may also include additional removablestorage and/or non-removable storage including, but not limited to,magnetic storage, optical disks, and/or tape storage. The disk drivesand their associated computer-readable media may provide non-volatilestorage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, programmodules, and other data for the computing devices. In someimplementations, the memory 212 may include multiple different types ofmemory, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic randomaccess memory (DRAM), or ROM.

Turning to the contents of the memory 212 in more detail, the memory 212may include an operating system and one or more application programs,modules, or services for implementing the features disclosed herein,such as via the browser application 206 or dedicated applications (e.g.,smart phone applications, tablet applications, etc.). The browserapplication 206 may be configured to receive, store, and/or display awebsite (e.g., the electronic marketplace website), or other interfacefor interacting with the service provider computers 210. In accordancewith at least one embodiment, the browser application 206 may receivesearch queries submitted by the users 202 and provide the search queriesto the service provider computers 210. Additionally, the memory 212 maystore access credentials and/or other user information such as, but notlimited to, user IDs, passwords, and/or other user information.

In some aspects, the service provider computers 210 may also be any typeof computing devices such as, but not limited to, a mobile phone, asmart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a server computer, a thin-client device, a tablet PC,etc. Additionally, it should be noted that in accordance with at leastone embodiment, the service provider computers may be executed by onemore virtual machines implemented in a hosted computing environment. Thehosted computing environment may include one or more rapidly provisionedand released computing resources, which computing resources may includecomputing, networking and/or storage devices. A hosted computingenvironment may also be referred to as a cloud computing environment. Insome examples, the service provider computers 210 may be incommunication with the user devices 204 and/or other service providersvia the networks 208, or via other network connections. The serviceprovider computers 210 may include one or more servers, perhaps arrangedin a cluster, as a server farm, or as individual servers not associatedwith one item detail page rating service described herein as part of anintegrated, distributed computing environment.

In one illustrative configuration, the service provider computers 210may include at least one memory 216 and one or more processing units (orprocessor(s)) 218. The processor(s) 218 may be implemented asappropriate in hardware, computer-executable instructions, firmware, orcombinations thereof. Computer-executable instruction or firmwareimplementations of the processor(s) 218 may include computer-executableor machine-executable instructions written in any suitable programminglanguage to perform the various functions described.

The memory 216 may store program instructions that are loadable andexecutable on the processor(s) 218, as well as data generated during theexecution of these programs. Depending on the configuration and type ofservice provider computers 210, the memory 216 may be volatile (such asRAM) and/or non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.). The serviceprovider computers 210 or servers may also include additional storage220, which may include removable storage and/or non-removable storage.The additional storage 220 may include, but is not limited to, magneticstorage, optical disks and/or tape storage. The disk drives and theirassociated computer-readable media may provide non-volatile storage ofcomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules andother data for the computing devices. In some implementations, thememory 216 may include multiple different types of memory, such as SRAM,DRAM, or ROM.

The memory 216, the additional storage 220, both removable andnon-removable, are all examples of computer-readable storage media. Forexample, computer-readable storage media may include volatile ornon-volatile, removable or non-removable media implemented in any methodor technology for storage of information such as computer-readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Thememory 216 and the additional storage 220 are all examples of computerstorage media. Additional types of computer storage media that may bepresent in the service provider computers 210 may include, but are notlimited to, PRAM, SRAM, DRAM, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or othermemory technology, CD-ROM, DVD or other optical storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store thedesired information and which can be accessed by the service providercomputers 210. Combinations of any of the above should also be includedwithin the scope of computer-readable media.

Alternatively, computer-readable communication media may includecomputer-readable instructions, program modules, or other datatransmitted within a data signal, such as a carrier wave, or othertransmission. However, as used herein, computer-readable storage mediadoes not include computer-readable communication media.

The service provider computers 210 may also contain communicationsconnection(s) 222 that allow the service provider computers 210 tocommunicate with a stored database, another computing device or server,user terminals and/or other devices on the networks 208. The serviceprovider computers 210 may also include I/O device(s) 224, such as akeyboard, a mouse, a pen, a voice input device, a touch input device, adisplay, speakers, a printer, etc.

Turning to the contents of the memory 216 in more detail and will bedescribed in further detail in FIG. 3, the memory 216 may include anoperating system 226, one or more data stores 228, and/or one or moreapplication programs, modules, or services for implementing the featuresdisclosed herein, including a query fingerprint generation andclassification service, 230.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example architecture 300 of a query fingerprintgeneration and classification service provided by an electronicmarketplace 310, in accordance with at least one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The query fingerprint generation and classificationservice 230 may include a plurality of modules configured to implementfunctionality of the query fingerprint generation and classificationservice, described herein. The modules 326 may be software modules,hardware modules, or a combination thereof. If the modules 326 aresoftware modules, the modules 326 can be embodied on a computer readablemedium and processed by a processor in any of the computer systemsdescribed herein. It should be noted that any module or data storedescribed herein, may be, in accordance with at least one embodiment, aservice responsible for generating fingerprint information for queriesrelated to items issued by users of the electronic marketplace,classifying the generated query fingerprint information and modifying auser experience for the user based on the fingerprint information andthe classification of the query. The modules may be configured in themanner suggested in FIG. 3 or may exist as separate modules or servicesexternal to the electronic marketplace 310.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, a user may enter and submitsearch terms into a search query interface via an electronic devicecommunicating with a network 308. The network 308 may be the same orsimilar as the networks 208 and 110 described above. The electronicdevice may include, for example, a cell phone 302, a laptop computer304, or a tablet personal computer 306. User selections may be input bythe user or other users, via one of the aforementioned variouselectronic devices via a web browser application (e.g., 206) on theuser's device.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the query fingerprintgeneration and classification service 230 may include a graphical userinterface 314. The graphical user interface 314 may serve as theback-end component that may be configured to implement the various userinterface elements that can be rendered on the user's browserapplication (e.g., 206) at the user devices. In accordance with at leastone embodiment, the graphical user interface 314 may be configured toimplement one or more user interface elements to enable users on devices302, 304 and 306 to interact with the electronic marketplace websitewhile searching for, browsing, or purchasing items via the electronicmarketplace 110. As an example, a user may utilize a user interfaceelement to submit a search query to the electronic marketplace. The usermay utilize the user interface to view search results related to aquery, various categories of information related to the query, and thelike. The search query may be received by the communications manager 324and stored in the user behavior database 114.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the query fingerprintgeneration and classification service 230 may include a browsableelectronic catalog 316 that is accessible over the network 308 to theusers of user devices 302, 304 and 306, via the electronic marketplacewebsite. The electronic catalog 316 may include a database ofinformation about items that may be listed by users within theelectronic marketplace system. The information may typically includeitem IDs, item descriptions and item images provided by manufacturers ordistributors of the items. In some examples, information about the itemslisted in the electronic marketplace system may be viewable by the usersof user devices 302, 304 and 306 by browsing the electronic catalog 316wherein each item may fully be identified within a corresponding itemdetail page.

In some embodiments, the query fingerprint generation and classificationservice 230 may include a query fingerprint generation module 318. Thequery fingerprint generation module 318 may be configured to generatefingerprint information for one or more queries submitted by one or moreusers of the electronic marketplace. In one embodiment, the queryfingerprint generation module 318 may be configured to access searchquery histories stored in the user behavior database 114 to identify aquery submitted by one or more users of the electronic marketplaceduring a search session. The query fingerprint generation module 318 mayperform one or more operations to identify a ‘first action’ performed bythe users in relation to the query. As an example, the ‘first action’may correspond to a ‘first query’ or an ‘initial query’ (e.g., ‘Shoes)submitted by the users. In some embodiments, the query fingerprintgeneration module 318 may perform one or more operations to store the‘first action’ as fingerprint information associated with the query inthe query classification database 116.

In accordance with some embodiments, the query fingerprint generationmodule 318 may then perform one or more operations to analyze aplurality of actions performed by the users in relation to the query,after the ‘first action’ and identify a ‘subsequent action’ based atleast in part on the analysis. In one example, a ‘subsequent action’ maybe identified as an action that is performed by a maximum number ofusers after the ‘first action.’ As an example, the query fingerprintgeneration module 118 may identify that a ‘subsequent action’ performedby a maximum number of users after submitting an initial query, ‘Shoes’may be a re-formulation of the query to ‘Running Shoes.’ In certainembodiments, the query fingerprint generation module 318 may perform oneor more operations to store the ‘subsequent action’ as fingerprintinformation associated with the query in the query classificationdatabase 116.

In some embodiments, the query fingerprint generation module 318 maythen perform the operations discussed above to identify additionalactions performed by the users after the ‘subsequent action’. Theactions representing the fingerprint information thus identified may beused to generate a fingerprint for the query. In one embodiment, thefingerprint for the query may be represented as a vector of features, inwhich each feature in the vector represents an action performed by theusers in relation to the query. In one embodiment, the last action inthe fingerprint for the query may be identified as an ‘exit action’,indicating the end of the search session and/or an abandonment of thequery by the users.

In some embodiments, the query fingerprint generation module 318 mayalso be configured to track the amount of time that each user spentbrowsing for information on a particular network page of the electronicmarketplace website after submitting the query and before performing a‘subsequent action’ that navigated the users to a second network page onthe website. In embodiments, the query fingerprint generation module 318may be configured to store the time information as fingerprintinformation associated with an action performed by the users in relationto the query.

Thus, in accordance with some embodiments, a fingerprint for a query maybe represented by a schema ‘S,’ the schema comprising one or moreattributes or features associated with the query such as timeinformation and one or more actions performed in relation to the queryduring a search session. Accordingly, a fingerprint for a query may berepresented by a schema ‘S’ as: (<average_amount_of_time_spent_on_page>,<action>), where <action> represents either a ‘first action’ or one ormore ‘subsequent actions’ performed by the users in relation to thequery and <average_amount_of_time_spent_on_page> represents an averageamount of time spent by one or more users while browsing for informationon a particular page of the website after performing the ‘first action’and before performing a ‘subsequent action’ that navigated the users tothe second page on the website. As an example, a fingerprint for a querymay comprise fingerprint information such as <first query, 15 mins>,<re-formulation, 15 minutes>, <term addition, 10 minutes>, <exit, 0minutes>.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the query fingerprintinformation generation and classification service 230 may include aquery fingerprint classification module 320. The query fingerprintclassification module 320 may be configured to determine aclassification for queries submitted by the users of the electronicmarketplace based at least in part on the fingerprint information. Inone embodiment, the classification of a query may be determined based atleast in part on determining the duration of a search session related tothe query, based on the time information in the fingerprint for thequery. As an example, a relatively long search session may be indicativeof multiple modifications of query terms by users during a searchsession whereas a relatively short search session may indicate fewermodifications to the query terms by users.

Accordingly, in one example, a query may be classified as a ‘BroadQuery’ if the fingerprint information associated with the queryindicates that the total number of actions in the fingerprint for thequery and the total amount of time that the users stayed in theelectronic marketplace website during the search session related to thequery is within a first pre-determined threshold. In another example, aquery may be classified as a ‘Well-defined Query’ if the fingerprintinformation associated with the query indicates that the total number ofactions in the fingerprint for the query and the total amount of timethat the users stayed on the electronic marketplace website during thesearch session related to the query is within a second pre-determinedthreshold. In other examples, a query may be classified as a ‘BrandQuery’ if the fingerprint information associated with the queryindicates brand-related information about the item (e.g., the name of acompany which sells the item, product or service). In one embodiment,the pre-determined thresholds may be determined automatically by theelectronic marketplace or may be specified by a user.

In other examples, a classification for a query may also be determinedbased at least in part on computing a similarity measure between thefingerprint information of the query and the fingerprint information ofone or more other queries issued by the users of the electronicmarketplace. As an example, the query fingerprint classification module320 may be configured to compute the similarity measure between twoqueries by comparing the actions in the fingerprint information of thetwo queries and the order in which the actions appear in the fingerprintinformation. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the similaritymeasure may then be determined by assigning a value (e.g., such as‘high’, medium’ or ‘low’) to each query based on the comparison. Thequery fingerprint classification module 320 may be configured toclassify queries having a similarity measure of ‘low’ under a firstcategory, classify queries having a similarity measure of ‘medium’ undera second category and classify queries having a similarity measure of‘high’ under a third category, and so on.

In certain embodiments, the query fingerprint information generation andclassification service 230 may be configured to determine a fingerprintfor a query issued by a user based at least in part on combining thefingerprint information of one or more queries stored in the queryclassification database 116. As an example, consider that a user issuesa query, ‘Men's Running Shoes Size 10.’ In one embodiment, the queryfingerprint information generation and classification service 230 maydetermine that the fingerprint information for the query, ‘Men's RunningShoes Size 10’ exists in the query classification database 116 but isrepresented by a relatively small amount of data (e.g., the query wasissued by a relatively small (1-2) number of users in the system and/orthat the fingerprint information is representative of a relatively small(1-2) number of actions performed by the users). In this case, the queryfingerprint information generation and classification service 230 may beconfigured to identify a similar query (e.g., ‘Men's Running Shoes’)stored in the query classification database 116 having a relativelylarge amount of data (e.g., the query was issued by a relatively large(>50) number of users in the system and/or that the fingerprintinformation is representative of a relatively large number (>5) numberof actions performed by the users). In some embodiments, the queryfingerprint information generation and classification service 230 maythen be configured to determine a fingerprint for the query ‘Men'sRunning Shoes Size 10’ issued by the user by aggregating the fingerprintinformation of the query ‘Men's Running Shoes Size 10’ with thefingerprint information for the query, ‘Men's Running Shoes.’

In certain embodiments, the query fingerprint information generation andclassification service 230 may include a dynamic network contentgeneration module 322. In some embodiments, the dynamic network contentgeneration module 322 may be configured to modify a user experience forthe user based on a query issued by the user and based on fingerprintinformation related to the query. In one embodiment, the dynamic networkcontent generation module 322 may be configured to perform one or moreoperations to receive a query issued by a user of a user device (e.g.,302, 304 or 306) and identify if fingerprint information exists for thequery in the query classification database 116. If fingerprintinformation already exists for the query, the dynamic network contentgeneration module 322 may determine a fingerprint for the query based onthe fingerprint information in the database 116, and modify a userexperience for the user based on the fingerprint. If fingerprintinformation does not exist for the query in the query classificationdatabase 116, then in some embodiments, the dynamic network contentgeneration module 322 may perform one or more operations to accessfingerprint information from the query classification database for aquery that is similar to the user's query. As an example, a similarquery may be defined as a query that may be classified under the samecategory as the query issued by the user in the electronic catalog. Forexample, a query (e.g., ‘Men's Shoes’) may be identified as a query thatis similar to a query (‘Shoes’) submitted by the user, in certainembodiments. In one embodiment, the electronic marketplace may thenperform one or more operations to determine a fingerprint for the querybased on the fingerprint information and modify a user experience forthe user based on the fingerprint.

In accordance with at least some embodiments, the dynamic networkcontent generation module 322 may be configured to dynamically changethe appearance of network content in a network page of the electronicmarketplace website as the user searches for information about an itemin the electronic marketplace website, based on the fingerprintinformation. Modifying the user experience in some embodiments mayinclude rendering collected network site data (e.g., hypertext markuplanguage, cascading style sheets, programming language instructions suchas scripting language instructions) into network document images thatmay be displayed dynamically on the network page of the electronicmarketplace website. In other embodiments, modifying the user experiencemay also include generating interactive network document regions thatmay change an appearance of the network page based on the fingerprintinformation of the query. For example, a ‘drop down’ menu may bedynamically generated to change the appearance of a network page inresponse to a user's query and the fingerprint information of the query.As another example, a region with refined search results may bedynamically displayed on the network page based on the fingerprint ofthe query. As an example, if the dynamic network content generationmodule 322 determines that users who search for an item ‘Games’typically re-formulate their query to ‘Video games’ based on thefingerprint information, the dynamic network content generation module322 may automatically modify the search results presented by the user toinclude ‘Video Games’ in a top region of the network document when theuser submits a query for the item ‘Games.’

In certain embodiments, the dynamic network content generation module322 may be configured to present a personalized search result for theuser based on the fingerprint information. As an example, the dynamicnetwork content generation module 322 may be configured to present apersonalized search result to the user based on a query issued by theuser and based on the fingerprint information related to the query. Asan example, the dynamic network content generation module 322 may beconfigured to generate multiple views and/or layouts by which the usermay view search results. For example, a personalized search result mayinclude a search result that is presented in a particular layout and/ora view such as a ‘list view’, a ‘grid view’, an ‘image view’, and thelike to the user. A personalized search result may include a searchresult that is presented in a particular layout and/or view to the user,based on the category of items in the search result, different productspresented in the search result, and the like.

In some embodiments, the dynamic network content generation module 322may be configured to present various categories of items related to thequery issued by the user based on the fingerprint information and enablethe user to navigate between the various categories of items within agiven view and/or layout presented to the user in the search result. Inembodiments, the generated views and/or layouts may identify a themerelated to the query issued by the user and present various categoriesrelated to the theme in the search results.

In certain embodiments, the dynamic network content generation module322 may be configured to present a subset of items related to a categoryof items in the search result, based on the fingerprint information ofthe query. As an example, the dynamic network content generation module322 may organize search results based on category, order the categoriesbased on fingerprint information and identify a subset of items relatedto a subset of categories (e.g., the most popular categories) to presentto the user in the search result. Additional details of the manner inwhich the dynamic network content generation module 322 modifies a userexperience for the user based on fingerprint information is discussed inFIG. 10 below.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate example flow diagrams showing respective processes400, 500 and 600 for generating and classifying query fingerprints forqueries submitted by users of an electronic marketplace, describedherein. These processes are illustrated as logical flow diagrams, eachoperation of which represents a sequence of operations that can beimplemented in hardware, computer instructions, or a combinationthereof. In the context of computer instructions, the operationsrepresent computer-executable instructions stored on one or morecomputer-readable storage media that, when executed by one or moreprocessors, perform the recited operations. Generally,computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects,components, data structures and the like that perform particularfunctions or implement particular data types. The order in which theoperations are described is not intended to be construed as alimitation, and any number of the described operations can be combinedin any order and/or in parallel to implement the processes.

Additionally, some, any, or all of the processes may be performed underthe control of one or more computer systems configured with executableinstructions and may be implemented as code (e.g., executableinstructions, one or more computer programs, or one or moreapplications) executing collectively on one or more processors, byhardware, or combinations thereof. As noted above, the code may bestored on a computer-readable storage medium, for example, in the formof a computer program including a plurality of instructions executableby one or more processors. The computer-readable storage medium may benon-transitory.

In some examples, the query fingerprint generation and classificationservice 230 (e.g., utilizing at least the query fingerprint generationmodule 318, the query fingerprint classification module 320 and thedynamic network content generation module 322) shown in at least FIG. 3(and others) may perform the processes 400, 500 and 600 of FIG. 4, FIG.5 and FIG. 6 respectively.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 400 forgenerating a query fingerprint for one or more queries submitted byusers of an electronic marketplace, described herein. The process at 400may begin at 402 by identifying a query submitted by one or more usersduring a search session. In one example, a query submitted by the usersmay be identified by accessing user search query histories stored in theuser behavior database (e.g., 114). At 404, the process 400 may includeidentifying a ‘first action’ performed by the users in relation to thequery. As discussed above, a ‘first action’ may correspond to a ‘firstquery’ or an ‘initial query’ (e.g., ‘Shoes) submitted by the users. At406, the process 400 may include storing the ‘first action’ asfingerprint information associated with the query in the queryclassification database 116. In some embodiments, the process at 406 mayalso include storing time information related to the identified action.As discussed above, the time information may correspond to an averageamount of time that one or more users spent browsing for information ona particular page of the website after performing the ‘first action’ andbefore performing a ‘subsequent action’ that navigated the users to asecond page on the website.

In some embodiments, at 408, the process 400 may include analyzing aplurality of actions performed by the users in relation to the query,after the identified action (e.g., ‘first action’). At 410, the process400 may include identifying a ‘subsequent action’ based at least in parton the analysis. At 412, the process 400 may include storing the‘subsequent action’ and the time information associated with the‘subsequent action’ as fingerprint information associated with the queryin the query classification database 116.

At 414, the process 400 may include identifying if the ‘subsequentaction’ corresponds to an ‘exit action’ performed by the users inrelation to the query. In one embodiment, an ‘exit action’ maycorrespond to an abandonment of the query by the users or the end of thesearch session by the users. If the ‘subsequent action’ is indicative ofan ‘exit action’, then in one embodiment, the process 400 ends at 416,by generating a fingerprint for the query that includes the identifiedactions. In one embodiment, and as discussed above, the fingerprintinformation for the query may be represented as a vector of features, inwhich each feature or attribute corresponds to an action performed bythe user in relation to the query and may include time informationassociated with each action.

At 414, if it is determined that the subsequent action does notcorrespond to an ‘exit’ action, then the process 400 continues to 408 toanalyze a plurality of actions performed by the users in relation to thequery after the identified action.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 500 forevaluating fingerprint information for a query submitted by a user andclassifying the query based on the fingerprint information, describedherein. The process at 500 may begin at 502 by receiving a query issuedby a user of the electronic marketplace. At 504, the process 500 mayinclude accessing a query classification database (e.g., 116) havingfingerprint information. In some embodiments, at 506, the process 500may include determining a fingerprint for the query by comparing thefingerprint information in the query classification database to anaction performed by the user in relation to the query. As an example, anaction may correspond to an ‘initial query’ (e.g., ‘Shoes’) submitted bythe user. In one example, the process at 506 may include comparingsearch terms corresponding to a plurality of queries stored in the queryclassification database to the search term (e.g., ‘Shoes’) of theinitial query issued by the user. If a search term of a query stored inthe query classification database corresponds to the search term of thequery issued by the user, then in some embodiments, the process at 506may include obtaining the fingerprint information of the query stored inthe query classification database to determine a fingerprint for thequery issued by the user. If the search term of the query issued by theuser does not correspond to one or more search terms of queries storedin the query classification database, then in some embodiments, theprocess at 506 may include obtaining the fingerprint information of aquery in the query classification database that is similar to the queryissued by the user. A similar query may be determined in various ways.As an example, a similar query may be defined as a query that may beclassified under the same category as the query issued by the user inthe electronic catalog. For example, a query (e.g., ‘Footwear’) may beidentified as a query that is similar to a query (‘Shoes’) submitted bythe user, in certain embodiments. In one embodiment, the process at 506may then include determining a fingerprint for the query based on thefingerprint information. At 508, the process 500 may include determininga classification for the query based on the fingerprint.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 600 formodifying a user experience for a user for a query submitted by the userbased on fingerprint information, described herein. The process at 600may begin at 602 by receiving a query submitted by a user of theelectronic marketplace. At 604, the process 600 may include identifyinga ‘first action’ associated with the query. As an example, the ‘firstaction’ may correspond to the ‘first query’ or the ‘initial query’(e.g., ‘Shoes) submitted by the user. At 606, the process 600 mayinclude accessing the query classification database (e.g., 116) havingfingerprint information. At 608, the process 600 may include identifyingif fingerprint information is available for the query in the queryclassification database 116.

If fingerprint information already exists for the query, at 610, theprocess 600 may include determining a fingerprint for the query based onthe fingerprint information. If fingerprint information does not existfor the query in the query classification database (e.g., 116), then insome embodiments, the process 600 may include accessing fingerprintinformation from the classification database (e.g., 116) to identify aquery that is classified under a same category as the query issued bythe user. As an example, if the user submitted a query (‘Shoes’) and itis determined that fingerprint information does not exist for the query(‘Shoes’) in the classification database, then, in some embodiments, theprocess 600 may access fingerprint information for a query (‘Footwear’)that is classified under the same category as the query (‘Shoes’) issuedby the user.

At 612, the process 600 may include determining a classification for thequery based on the fingerprint. As an example, the process 600 maydetermine that a query (‘Shoes) issued by the user is a ‘Broad query’based on the fingerprint information. In one embodiment, at 614, theprocess 600 may include modifying a user experience for the user basedon the fingerprint information and classification. In some embodiments,modifying the user experience may also include identifying a ‘subsequentaction’ based on the fingerprint for the query and dynamically changingthe appearance of network content in a network page of the electronicmarketplace website based on the ‘subsequent action’ and theclassification of the query. As an example, the process at 614 mayidentify that a ‘subsequent action’ for a query, ‘Shoes’ submitted by auser is a re-formulation of the query based on the fingerprint. In oneembodiment, the process at 614 may then perform an operation todynamically change the appearance of network content in a network pageof the electronic marketplace website to display search results relatedto ‘Running Shoes’ to the user. Additional details of the manner inwhich a user experience for a user may be modified based on fingerprintinformation is discussed in relation to FIGS. 7-9, described herein.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram depicting an example graphical userinterface by which a user can search for an item within an electronicmarketplace, described herein. In FIG. 7, the example environment 700may be a graphical user interface viewable via a browser application(e.g., via the browser application 206) on the user's device. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 7, the user submits a search query “Games’via the search query interface 702 provided by the electronicmarketplace website. The electronic marketplace may then identify asubsequent action that the user is likely to perform in relation to thequery ‘Games’ based on the fingerprint information stored in the queryclassification database. As an example, the electronic marketplace maydetermine that users who search for the item ‘Games’ typicallyre-formulate their query to ‘Video games’ based on the fingerprintinformation. In some examples, the electronic marketplace may alsodetermine that the query ‘Games’ is classified as a ‘Broad Query’ in thequery classification database based on the fingerprint information. Inone embodiment, the electronic marketplace may dynamically modify thesearch results presented to the user to include various categories of‘Video games.’ In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the electronicmarketplace modifies the search results presented by the user bydynamically generating and displaying a region 704 with refined searchresults of various categories of ‘Video games’ on a network page 706 tothe user, based on the fingerprint information and the classification ofthe query.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram depicting an example graphical userinterface by which a user can search for an item within an electronicmarketplace, described herein. In FIG. 8, the example environment 800may be a graphical user interface viewable via a browser application(e.g., via the browser application 206) on the user's device. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 8, the user submits a search query “Games’via the search query interface 802 provided by the electronicmarketplace website. The electronic marketplace may then identify asubsequent action that the user is likely to perform in relation to thequery ‘Games’ based on the fingerprint information and theclassification of the query ‘Games’ from the query classificationdatabase. The electronic marketplace may then dynamically modify thesearch results presented to the user to include ‘Video games.’ In theexample illustrated in FIG. 8, the electronic marketplace may modify thesearch results presented to the user by dynamically generating anddisplaying a ‘drop down’ menu 804 that changes the appearance of thenetwork page 806 in response to the user's query and the fingerprintinformation of the query to display different categories of ‘Videogames’ to the user.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram depicting an example graphical userinterface by which a user can search for an item within an electronicmarketplace, described herein. In FIG. 9, the example environment 900may be a graphical user interface viewable via a browser application(e.g., via the browser application 206) on the user's device. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 9, the user submits a search query ‘Bikes’via the search query interface 902 provided by the electronicmarketplace website. The electronic marketplace may identify asubsequent action that the user is likely to perform in relation to thequery ‘Bikes’ by accessing the fingerprint information and theclassification of the query ‘Bikes’ stored in the query classificationdatabase. The electronic marketplace may then dynamically modify thesearch results presented by the user to include various types of‘Outdoor Bikes’ as the user queries for the item ‘Bikes’ via the searchinterface. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the electronicmarketplace may modify the search results presented by the user bydynamically generating and displaying a region 904 with refined searchresults of various categories of ‘Outdoor Bikes’ on the network page 906to the user, based on the fingerprint information.

Illustrative methods and systems for the generation and classificationof query fingerprints are described above. Some or all of these systemsand methods may, but need not, be implemented at least partially byarchitectures such as those shown at least in FIGS. 1-9 above. Thediscussion below relates to methods and systems for modifying searchresults presented to a user based on query fingerprint information. Someor all of these systems and methods may, but need not, be implemented atleast partially by architectures such as those shown at least in FIGS.10-36 below.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example architecture 1000 of the dynamic networkcontent generation module 322 provided by the query fingerprintgeneration and classification service discussed in FIG. 3, in accordancewith at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The dynamicnetwork content generation module 322 may include a plurality of modulesconfigured to implement functionality of the dynamic network contentgeneration module 322, described herein. The modules 1002 may besoftware modules, hardware modules, or a combination thereof. Themodules may be configured in the manner suggested in FIG. 1000 or mayexist as separate modules or services external to the dynamic networkcontent generation module 322.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the dynamic network contentgeneration module 322 may include a layout generation module 1004, aninteractive network region generation module 1006, a categoryidentification module 1008 and a rendering engine 1010. In someembodiments, and as will be discussed in detail below, the layoutgeneration module 1004, the interactive network region generation module1006 and the category identification module 1008 may be configured todynamically modify search results presented to a user based onfingerprint information related to a query. In accordance with at leastone embodiment, the rendering engine 1010 may be configured to provideinformation for rendering a network page comprising the modified searchresults to the user.

Modifying the search results, in some examples, may include arrangingitems in the search results presented to the user, in accordance withone or more layouts and/or views based on query fingerprint information.Modifying search results may include generating an interactive networkregion comprising the search results related to a query issued by auser, based on fingerprint information. In some examples, modifyingsearch results may include identifying various categories of itemsrelated to a query issued by the user based on fingerprint information,organizing the search results based on categories, ordering thecategories based on fingerprint information and identifying a subset ofitems related to a subset of categories (e.g., the most popularcategories) in the search results.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the layout generation module1004 may be configured to dynamically modify search results presented toa user by arranging the items in the search results in at least one of a‘list’ layout, a ‘grid’ layout or an ‘image’ layout, based on queryfingerprint information. In some embodiments, when a user submits aquery via a search interface provided by the electronic marketplace, thefingerprint generation module (e.g., 318 shown in FIG. 3) may identify asubsequent action performed by a plurality of users of the electronicmarketplace in relation to the query based on fingerprint informationstored in the query classification database. The layout generationmodule 1004 may then dynamically modify search results presented to theuser based on the fingerprint information. In one example, the layoutgeneration module 1004 may modify search results presented to the userby arranging items of the search result in a two-dimensional, scrollable‘grid’ layout, based on the fingerprint information. In other examples,the layout generation module 1004 may modify search results presented tothe user by arranging the items of the search result in a vertical listof scrollable items, based on the fingerprint information. In otherembodiments, the layout generation module 1004 may modify search resultspresented to the user by arranging ‘images’ of the items of the searchresult, based on the fingerprint information. In embodiments, therendering engine 1010 may be configured to provide information forrendering a network page comprising items of the search results arrangedin accordance with a layout as discussed above, based on the fingerprintinformation. The manner in which the layout generation module 1004 maydynamically modify search results presented to a user is discussed inrelation to FIGS. 11-13.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which items of the search results are arranged inaccordance with a ‘list’ layout, based on fingerprint informationrelated to a query. In FIG. 11, the example environment 1100 may be agraphical user interface viewable via a browser application (e.g., viathe browser application 206) on the user's device. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 11, a user submits a search query ‘phone case’ via asearch query interface 1102 provided by the electronic marketplacewebsite. The query fingerprint generation module (e.g., 318) mayidentify a subsequent action that the user is likely to perform inrelation to the query ‘phone case’ based on fingerprint informationstored in the query classification database. As an example, the queryfingerprint generation module (e.g., 318) may identify that thesubsequent action may be a ‘term addition’ to the query that describes,for example, additional characteristics of the query such as the colorof the phone case, the size of the phone case, a particular brand of thephone, and so on. The layout generation module 1004 may then beconfigured to dynamically modify the search results presented to theuser to include items related to these additional characteristics. Inthe illustrated example shown in FIG. 11, the layout generation module1004 may modify the search results presented to the user by arrangingthe items of the search result in a list of scrollable items 1104, basedon the fingerprint information.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which items of the search results are arranged inaccordance with a ‘grid’ layout, based on fingerprint informationrelated to a query. In FIG. 12, the example environment 1200 may be agraphical user interface viewable via a browser application (e.g., viathe browser application 206) on the user's device. In the illustratedexample, a user submits a search query ‘phone case’ via a search queryinterface 1202 provided by the electronic marketplace website. In thisexample, the layout generation module 1004 may be configured to modifysearch results presented to the user by arranging items of the searchresult in a two-dimensional, scrollable ‘grid’ layout 1204, based on thefingerprint information.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which items of the search results are arranged inaccordance with an ‘image’ layout, based on fingerprint informationrelated to a query. In FIG. 13, the example environment 1300 may be agraphical user interface viewable via a browser application (e.g., viathe browser application 206) on the user's device. In the illustratedexample, a user submits a search query ‘phone case’ via a search queryinterface 1302 provided by the electronic marketplace website. In thisexample, the layout generation module 1004 may be configured to modifysearch results presented to the user by displaying ‘images’ 1304 of theitems of the search result, based on the fingerprint information.

In accordance with at least some embodiments, the dynamic networkcontent generation module 322 may include an interactive network regiongeneration module 1008. In one embodiment, the interactive networkregion generation module 1006 may be configured to generate aninteractive network region in a network page comprising search resultsrelated to a query issued by a user, based on query fingerprintinformation. In one example, the interactive network region generationmodule 1006 may be configured to generate a ‘filmstrip’ of informationpertaining to various categories related to a query issued by the user.In embodiments, the interactive network region generation module 1008may be configured to identify the various categories related to a queryissued by a user by identifying search terms related to the query basedon query fingerprint information. As an example, consider that a userissues a query ‘Games’ via a search interface provided by the electronicmarketplace. The query fingerprint generation module (e.g., 318) maydetermine a fingerprint for the query based on fingerprint informationstored in the query classification database. For example, thefingerprint for the query may indicate a set of actions performed byusers in relation to the query ‘Games’ such as, for example, are-formulation of the query to ‘Video Games,’ a term addition to thequery, such as ‘Apps for Video Games,’ a term deletion in the query tojust, ‘Toys and Games,’ and so on. In one embodiment, the interactivenetwork region generation module 1006 may be configured to identifyvarious categories related to the query based on the identified searchterms, ‘Video Games,’ ‘Apps for Video Games,’ ‘Toys and Games’ in thequery fingerprint and generate an interactive network region comprisinga ‘filmstrip’ of categories related to the query based on these searchterms. In embodiments, the rendering engine 1010 may be configured toprovide information for rendering a network page comprising the variousidentified categories arranged in a ‘filmstrip’ based on the queryfingerprint.

In some embodiments, the interactive network region generation module1006 may be configured to receive, from the user, a selection of asub-category within the ‘filmstrip’ of categories in the search resultspresented to the user. The interactive network region generation module1008 may then be configured to generate an updated interactive regionidentifying an updated set of categories, based on the selectedsub-category. In embodiments, the interactive network region generationmodule 1006 may also be configured to generate an updated set of searchresults corresponding to the updated set of categories. The renderingengine 1010 may be configured to provide information for rendering anetwork page with the updated set of categories and the updated set ofsearch results to the user.

In accordance with at least some embodiments, the interactive networkregion generation module 1006 may be configured to generate aninteractive network region comprising a plurality of categories relatedto the query in a network page. The layout generation module 1004 may beconfigured to arrange a plurality of items comprising search resultsrelated to the query in accordance with a layout within each category ofthe plurality of categories in the interactive network region. Therendering engine 1010 may be configured to provide information forrendering the network page comprising the interactive network region,the plurality of categories identified in the interactive network regionand the plurality of items within the plurality of categories arrangedin accordance with the layout, to the user.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which items of the search results are arranged ina ‘filmstrip’ of categories based on fingerprint information related toa query. In FIG. 14, the example environment 1400 may be a graphicaluser interface viewable via a browser application (e.g., via the browserapplication 206) on the user's device. In the example illustrated inFIG. 14, a user submits a search query ‘games’ via a search queryinterface 1402 provided by the electronic marketplace website. The queryfingerprint generation module (e.g., 318) may determine a fingerprintfor the query based on fingerprint information stored in the queryclassification database. The interactive network region generationmodule 1008 may then identify various categories (e.g., ‘Holiday ToyShop,’ ‘Toys & Games,’ ‘Apps,’ ‘Video Games,’ ‘Store,’ and ‘Books,’related to the query based on identified search terms in the queryfingerprint as discussed above and generate an interactive networkregion comprising a ‘filmstrip’ of categories 1404 related to the querybased on the query fingerprint. As further illustrated in FIG. 14, thenetwork page rendered to the user may also include a list of items 1406pertaining to the search results arranged in a particular layout (e.g.,a grid layout, a list layout or an image layout) as discussed inrelation to FIGS. 11-13.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which the user may navigate between varioussub-categories in a ‘filmstrip’ of categories. In FIG. 15, the exampleenvironment 1500 may be a graphical user interface viewable via abrowser application (e.g., via the browser application 206) on theuser's device. In the illustrated example, upon submitting a searchquery ‘games’ via the search query interface 1502, a user may select asub-category, “Electronics for Kids’ or a sub-category, “ElectronicPets” from the categories displayed in the filmstrip 1504. In oneembodiment, and as discussed above, the interactive network regiongeneration module 1008 may generate an updated ‘filmstrip’ identifyingan updated set of categories, based on the selected sub-category. Insome embodiments, the interactive network region generation module 1008may also generate an updated set of search results 1506 corresponding tothe updated set of categories.

In accordance with at least some embodiments, the interactive networkregion generation module 1006 may be configured to identify a searchterm in the query issued by the user and generate an interactive networkregion based at least in part on the identified search term. In oneexample, the identified search term may correspond to a term in thequery that may be used to develop a comparison between the term and oneor more terms related to the query. As an example, consider that a usersubmits a search query, ‘Best home theater system’ via a search queryinterface provided by the electronic marketplace website. In oneembodiment, the interactive network region generation module 1006 may beconfigured to identify the term ‘Best’ in the query as a comparison termand identify a list of comparable items related to the query. In oneexample, comparable items related to a query may be identified based onidentifying the category of an item (e.g., entertainment systems) in thequery submitted by the user. In some examples, comparable items relatedto a query may be identified based on analyzing search query historiessubmitted by users of the electronic marketplace. For example, searchhistories may be analyzed to identify possible variations and/ormodifications (e.g., term additions, term deletions, re-formulations andthe like) to search terms submitted by the users in relation to thesearch string issued by the user. Search histories may also be analyzedto determine a frequency of occurrence of such groups of terms, purchasehistories indicative of particular items purchased and/or rented byusers of the electronic marketplace, and the like.

In some examples, the list of comparable terms related to the query mayalso be identified based on fingerprint information related to thequery. For example, the query fingerprint generation module (e.g., 318)may determine that fingerprint information related to the query ‘Besthome theater system’ includes one or more re-formulations of the queryto ‘Top reviewed home theater systems,’ ‘Most reviewed for home theatresystems,’ and the like. In one embodiment, the interactive networkregion generation module 1006 may then be configured to identify termssuch as ‘Top,’ ‘Most reviewed,’ and the like as comparison terms andgenerate an interactive network region comprising a ‘filmstrip’ ofinformation that identifies a list of comparable items such as ‘#1 BestSeller,’ ‘Top Reviewed,’ ‘Most Wished For,’ and ‘Special Offer,’ basedon the fingerprint information. The manner in which the interactivenetwork region generation module 1006 may dynamically modify searchresults presented to a user based on comparison terms identified in thequery fingerprint is discussed in detail relation to FIGS. 16-17.

FIG. 16 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user based on identifying comparison terms in a query. InFIG. 16, the example environment 1600 may be a graphical user interfaceviewable via a browser application (e.g., via the browser application206) on the user's device. In the example illustrated in FIG. 16, a usersubmits a search query ‘best home theater system,’ via a search queryinterface 1602 provided by the electronic marketplace website. The queryfingerprint generation module (e.g., 318) may identify the term ‘best’as a comparison term in the query. The interactive network regiongeneration module 1006 may then be configured to identify a list ofcomparable items related to a query based on fingerprint informationrelated to the query stored in the query classification database asdiscussed above. In one embodiment, the interactive network regiongeneration module 1008 may generate an interactive network regioncomprising a ‘filmstrip’ of information 1604 that identifies a list ofcomparable items related to the query based on the fingerprintinformation. In some examples, a user may select a user interfaceelement ‘Expand’ 1606 in the rendered network page to view additionaldetails of one or more items in the list of comparable items related tothe query.

In some embodiments, the interactive network region generation module1008 may also be configured to generate a set of search results 1608corresponding to the search query submitted by the user. The renderingengine 1010 may be configured to provide information for rendering anetwork page that includes the list of comparable items and the set ofsearch results to the user. The search results 1608 may be rendered tothe user in any one of the layouts (e.g., list layout, grid layout or animage layout) as discussed above.

FIG. 17 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user based on identifying comparison terms in a query, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 17,the example environment 1700 may be a graphical user interface viewablevia a browser application (e.g., via the browser application 206) on theuser's device. In the example illustrated in FIG. 17, a user may viewadditional details 1706 of one or more items in the list of comparableitems 1704 related to a query ‘best home theater system,’ 1702 when theuser selects a user interface element (e.g., ‘Expand’ 1606 shown in FIG.16) in the rendered network page.

In accordance with at least some embodiments, the interactive networkregion generation module 1006 may be configured to identify ‘theme’information in a query issued by the user and dynamically modify searchresults presented to the user based at least in part on the themeinformation. In one example, ‘theme’ information may relate to atheme-based keyword phrase in the search query submitted by the user. Asan example, consider that a user submits a search query, ‘Star Wars’ viaa search query interface provided by the electronic marketplace website.In one embodiment, the interactive network region generation module 1006may be configured to identify that the search term ‘Star Wars’corresponds to a theme-based keyword phrase in the query. The queryfingerprint generation module (e.g., 318) may determine that thefingerprint for the query, ‘Star Wars,’ includes one or morere-formulations of the query that describe various characteristics ofthe theme. In one embodiment, the interactive network region generationmodule 1006 may be configured to dynamically modify search resultspresented to the user to include a plurality of items that correspond tovarious characteristics of the ‘theme’ identified in the queryfingerprint.

In some embodiments, the interactive network region generation module1006 may be configured to arrange items comprising search resultsrelated to the query in at least one of a ‘grid’ layout, a ‘list’ layoutor an ‘image’ layout based on the ‘theme’ information. In at least someembodiments, the interactive network region generation module 1008 maybe configured to receive a selection of an item in the search resultsand generate an interactive network region comprising ‘theme’information related to the selected item. In some embodiments, therendering engine 1010 may be configured to provide information forrendering a network page comprising various characteristics of the‘theme’ to the user. The manner in which the interactive network regiongeneration module 1008 may dynamically modify search results presentedto a user based on identifying ‘theme’ information in a query isdiscussed in detail relation to FIGS. 18-19.

FIG. 18 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user based on identifying theme information in a query.In FIG. 18, the example environment 1800 may be a graphical userinterface viewable via a browser application (e.g., via the browserapplication 206) on the user's device. In the example illustrated inFIG. 18, a user submits a search query ‘Star Wars’ via a search queryinterface 1802 provided by the electronic marketplace website. The queryfingerprint generation module (e.g., 318) may identify that the searchquery corresponds to a theme-based keyword phrase (i.e., ‘Star Wars’).The interactive network region generation module 1008 may thendynamically modify search results 1804 presented to the user byidentifying items that correspond to various characteristics of the‘theme’ based on the query fingerprint. In some embodiments, theinteractive network region generation module 1006 may be configured toarrange the items of the search results in at least one of a gridlayout, a list layout or an image layout in a network page rendered tothe user based on the ‘theme.’ In the example illustrated in FIG. 18,items such as ‘Movies #,’ ‘T-shirts #,’ ‘Collectibles #,’ ‘Sales & Deals#,’ ‘Costumes #,’ ‘Games #,’ ‘Legos #,’ and the like may identifyvarious characteristics of the ‘theme’ of the query, ‘Star Wars’submitted by the user.

FIG. 19 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user based on identifying theme information in a query,in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 19,the example environment 1900 may be a graphical user interface viewablevia a browser application (e.g., via the browser application 206) on theuser's device. In the example illustrated in FIG. 19, a user may selectan item 1904 such as ‘T-Shirts #,’ from the plurality of itemsidentifying characteristics of the ‘theme’ of the query issued by theuser. A set of search results 1906 that describe additional details ofthe selected item 1904 that correspond to the ‘theme’ may be rendered inan interactive network region in the network page, to the user.

FIGS. 20-22 illustrate example flow diagrams showing respectiveprocesses 2000, 2100 and 2200 for dynamically modifying search resultspresented to a user based on fingerprint information, described herein.These processes are illustrated as logical flow diagrams, each operationof which represents a sequence of operations that can be implemented inhardware, computer instructions, or a combination thereof. In thecontext of computer instructions, the operations representcomputer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readablestorage media that, when executed by one or more processors, perform therecited operations. Generally, computer-executable instructions includeroutines, programs, objects, components, data structures and the likethat perform particular functions or implement particular data types.The order in which the operations are described is not intended to beconstrued as a limitation, and any number of the described operationscan be combined in any order and/or in parallel to implement theprocesses.

Additionally, some, any, or all of the processes may be performed underthe control of one or more computer systems configured with executableinstructions and may be implemented as code (e.g., executableinstructions, one or more computer programs, or one or moreapplications) executing collectively on one or more processors, byhardware, or combinations thereof. As noted above, the code may bestored on a computer-readable storage medium, for example, in the formof a computer program including a plurality of instructions executableby one or more processors. The computer-readable storage medium may benon-transitory.

In some examples, the query fingerprint generation and classificationservice 230 (e.g., utilizing at least the query fingerprint generationmodule 318, the query fingerprint classification module 320 and thedynamic network content generation module 322) shown in at least FIG. 3,FIG. 10 (and others) may perform the processes 2000, 2100 and 2200 ofFIG. 20, FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 respectively.

FIG. 20 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 2000 formodifying search results based on fingerprint information related to aquery, described herein. The process at 2000 may begin at 2002 byreceiving a query issued by a user of an electronic marketplace. At2004, the process 2000 may include identifying an action performed bythe user in relation to the query. As discussed above, an action maycorrespond to a ‘first query’ or an ‘initial query’ (e.g., ‘phone case’)submitted by the user. At 2006, the process 2000 may include accessing aquery classification database having fingerprint information. At 2008,the process 2000 may include determining a fingerprint for the query bycomparing the fingerprint information in the query classificationdatabase to the action performed by the user in relation to the query.As an example, the fingerprint for the query may indicate one or moresubsequent actions performed by one or more users of the electronicmarketplace in relation to the query, ‘phone case.’ As discussed inrelation to FIG. 11, a subsequent action may correspond to a ‘termaddition’ to the query that describes, for example, additionalcharacteristics of the query such as the color of the phone case, thesize of the phone case, a particular brand of the phone, and so on. At2010, the process 2000 may include arranging a plurality of itemscomprising search results related to the query in accordance with alayout based at least in part on the fingerprint. As an example, theplurality of items comprising the search results may be arranged in atleast one of a list layout, a grid layout or an image layout asdiscussed in relation to FIGS. 11-13. At 2012, the process 2000 mayinclude providing information for rendering a network page comprisingthe plurality of items in accordance with the layout, to the user.

FIG. 21 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 2100 formodifying search results based on fingerprint information related to aquery, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.The process at 2100 may begin at 2102 by receiving a query issued by auser of the electronic marketplace. At 2104, the process 2100 mayinclude determining a fingerprint for the query. The fingerprint for thequery may be determined as discussed in relation to FIG. 10 based onfingerprint information stored in the query classification database. At2106, the process 2100 may include identifying categories related to asearch term in the query based on the query fingerprint. In one example,the various categories related to a search term in the query may beidentified based on identifying search terms in the query fingerprint asdiscussed in FIG. 10. In some embodiments, at 2108, the process 2000 mayinclude generating an interactive network region comprising a‘filmstrip’ of categories related to the query based on the identifiedsearch terms in the query fingerprint. At 2110, the process 2000 mayinclude providing information for rendering a network page comprisingthe ‘filmstrip’ of categories and the search results to the user.

In some embodiments, at 2112, the process 2000 may include receiving aselection of a category from the plurality of categories presented inthe ‘filmstrip’ from the user. At 2114, the process 2000 may includegenerating an updated interactive network region in the network pagerendered to the user based on the selected category. At 2116, theprocess 2000 may include generating an updated search result in responseto the updated interactive network region.

FIG. 22 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 2200 formodifying search results based on fingerprint information related to aquery, described herein. The process at 2200 may begin at 2202 byidentifying a query issued by a user of an electronic marketplace. At2204, the process 2200 may include identifying theme information in thequery based on search terms in the query. As discussed in relation toFIG. 10, theme information in a query may correspond to theme-basedkeyword phrase in the query. At 2206, the process 2200 may includedetermining a fingerprint for the query based on the theme information.At 2208, the process 2200 may include dynamically modifying searchresults presented to the user to include a plurality of itemscorresponding to various characteristics of the ‘theme’ identified inthe query fingerprint.

Returning to the discussion of FIG. 10, in accordance with at least someembodiments, the dynamic network content generation module 322 mayinclude a category identification module 1008. The categoryidentification module 1008 may be configured to identify a plurality ofcategories related to a query issued by a user based on the queryfingerprint and organize a plurality of items comprising search resultsrelated to the query based on the identified categories. The categoriesrelated to a query may be identified by identifying search terms in thequery fingerprint. As an example, consider that a user submits a searchquery ‘Running’ via a search query interface provided by the electronicmarketplace website. The query fingerprint generation module (e.g., 318)may determine a fingerprint for the query based on fingerprintinformation stored in the query classification database. The fingerprintfor the query may indicate a set of actions performed by users of theelectronic marketplace in relation to the query. These actions mayinclude, for example, re-formulations, term additions, term deletions,term swaps, and the like to the query which may indicate that users whosubmitted a search query, ‘Running,’ searched for ‘books on running’,‘sport shoes’, ‘running accessories,’ and the like. In one embodiment,the category identification module 1008 may be configured to identifyvarious categories related to the query ‘Running,’ based on these searchterms. As an example, the category identification module 1008 mayidentify various categories related to ‘Running,’ such as ‘Sports &Outdoors,’ ‘Books,’ ‘Clothing & Accessories,’ and the like based onsearch terms obtained on the query fingerprint.

In one example, the layout generation module 1004 may be configured tomodify search results presented to the user by arranging items of thesearch result within each of the identified categories in atwo-dimensional, scrollable ‘grid’ layout, based on the queryfingerprint. In other examples, the layout generation module 1004 maymodify search results presented to the user by arranging the items ofthe search result within each of the identified categories in a vertical‘list’ of scrollable items, based on the query fingerprint. In someembodiments, the layout generation module 1004 may also modify searchresults presented to the user by arranging ‘images’ of the items of thesearch result within each of the identified categories, based on thequery fingerprint.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the category identificationmodule 1008 may be configured to identify a plurality of sub-categorieswithin each of the identified categories. The sub-categories may beidentified in a manner similar to the identification of categoriesdiscussed above. The layout generation module 1004 may be configured toorganize the plurality of sub-categories within each of the identifiedcategories in accordance with one or more of the layouts describedabove. In some embodiments, the layout generation module 1004 may beconfigured to arrange the items of the search results within each of theidentified categories into one or more customized layout templates. Thecustomized layout templates may for example, overlay and/or align itemsof the search results in a fixed width layout, in a variable widthlayout, within a specified horizontal and vertical distance and so on. Acustomized layout template may also organize categories related to aquery as variable sized boxes, in which the size of each box may beindicative of the number of items of the search result within eachcategory.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the category identificationmodule 1008 may be configured to identify a plurality of filters relatedto each of the identified categories based on identifying search termsin the fingerprint information, receive a selection of a filter from auser and generate an updated set of categories and an updated set ofsearch results for the user based on the selected filter. In someexamples, the filters may identify a subset of items related to a subsetof categories (e.g., the most popular categories) in the search results.The manner in which the category identification module 1008 maydynamically modify search results presented to a user by identifyingcategories related to a query based on the query fingerprint isdiscussed in detail relation to FIGS. 23-28.

FIG. 23 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which items of the search results are organizedinto a set of categories based on fingerprint information related to aquery. In FIG. 23, the example environment 2300 may be a graphical userinterface viewable via a browser application (e.g., via the browserapplication 206) on the user's device. In the example illustrated inFIG. 23, a user submits a search query ‘running’ via a search queryinterface 2302 provided by the electronic marketplace website. The queryfingerprint generation module (e.g., 318) may determine a fingerprintfor the query based on fingerprint information stored in the queryclassification database. The category identification module 1008 maythen identify various categories related to the query based onidentified search terms in the query fingerprint as discussed above. Asan example, the category identification module 1008 may identify variouscategories related to the query, ‘running’ such as ‘Sports & Outdoors2306,’ ‘Books 2308,’ ‘Clothing & Accessories 2310,’ and the like basedon the query fingerprint and modify the search results presented to theuser based on the identified categories. The layout generation module1004 may arrange the items of the search result 2304 within each of theidentified categories in accordance with a particular layout (e.g., agrid layout, a list layout or an image layout) as discussed in detail inrelation to FIGS. 11-13.

FIG. 24 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which items of the search results are organizedinto various sub-categories within a set of categories based onfingerprint information related to a query. In FIG. 24, the exampleenvironment 2400 may be a graphical user interface viewable via abrowser application (e.g., via the browser application 206) on theuser's device. In the example illustrated in FIG. 24, a user submits asearch query ‘running’ via a search query interface 2402 provided by theelectronic marketplace website. The query fingerprint generation module(e.g., 318) may determine a fingerprint for the query based onfingerprint information stored in the query classification database. Thecategory identification module 1008 may then identify varioussub-categories and/or a set of related items within each categoryrelated to the query based on identified search terms in the queryfingerprint and modify search results presented to the user based on thequery fingerprint. The layout generation module 1004 may organize theset of related items and/or the sub-categories within each of theidentified categories in a particular layout (e.g., a grid layout, alist layout or an image layout). In the example illustrated in FIG. 24,the category identification module 1008 may identify a set of relateditems and/or various sub-categories such as ‘#1 Best Seller 2406,’ ‘TopRated 2408,’ ‘New & Trending 2410,’ and the like within each of thecategories, ‘Sports & Outdoors,’ ‘Books,’ ‘Clothing & Accessories,’based on the query fingerprint and modify search results presented tothe user based on the identified sub-categories and categories. Forexample, the layout generation module 1004 may organize thesub-categories of the search result within each of the identifiedcategories in a ‘grid’ layout. In some embodiments, the layoutgeneration module 1004 may also be configured to present a set of searchresults 2404 to the user based on the query fingerprint. The items ofthe search results may further be arranged in at least one of a gridlayout, a list layout or an image layout as discussed above.

FIG. 25 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which items of the search results are overlayedon top of each other and aligned in a fixed width layout, based onfingerprint information related to a query. In FIG. 25, the exampleenvironment 2500 may be a graphical user interface viewable via abrowser application (e.g., via the browser application 206) on theuser's device. In the example illustrated in FIG. 25, a user submits asearch query ‘running’ via a search query interface 2502 by theelectronic marketplace website. The query fingerprint generation module(e.g., 318) may determine a fingerprint for the query based onfingerprint information stored in the query classification database asdiscussed in relation to FIG. 10. The category identification module1008 may then identify various categories (e.g., ‘Sports & Outdoors,’‘Books,’ and the like) related to the query based on identified searchterms in the query fingerprint and modify search results presented tothe user based on the identified categories. In one embodiment, thelayout generation module 1004 may organize the items of the searchresult within each of the identified categories by overlaying the itemsin a fixed width layout within each of the identified categories. Theitems of the search result 2504 may further be arranged in a grid layoutas illustrated in FIG. 25.

FIG. 26 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which categories related to a query are organizedin a ranked order based on fingerprint information related to a query.In FIG. 26, the example environment 2600 may be a graphical userinterface viewable via a browser application (e.g., via the browserapplication 206) on the user's device. In the example illustrated inFIG. 26, a user submits a search query ‘running’ via a search queryinterface 2602 provided by the electronic marketplace website. The queryfingerprint generation module (e.g., 318) may determine a fingerprintfor the query based on fingerprint information stored in the queryclassification database as discussed in relation to FIG. 10. Thecategory identification module 1008 may then identify various categoriesrelated to the query based on identified search terms in the queryfingerprint and modify search results presented to the user by arrangingthe items of the search result within each of the identified categories.In one embodiment, the identified categories related to a query may beorganized in a ranked order by representing the items within eachcategory in different sized boxes wherein the size of a box within acategory may correspond to the number of items of the search resultwithin the category. In the example illustrated in FIG. 23, the layoutgeneration module 1008 may identify various categories related to thequery, ‘running’ such as ‘Sports & Outdoors,’ ‘Books,’ ‘Clothing &Accessories,’ and the like based on the query fingerprint and modifysearch results presented to the user by organizing the categoriesrelated to the query in a ranked order by representing the items withineach category in different sized boxes 2604, 2606, 2608 and 2610 basedon the number of items of the search result present in each of theidentified categories. The items of the search result 2612 may furtherbe arranged in a ‘grid’ layout as illustrated in FIG. 26.

FIG. 27 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which a plurality of filters related to aplurality of categories of a query are presented to a user, based onfingerprint information related to a query. In FIG. 27, the exampleenvironment 2700 may be a graphical user interface viewable via abrowser application (e.g., via the browser application 206) on theuser's device. In the example illustrated in FIG. 27, a user submits asearch query ‘running’ via a search query interface 2702 provided by theelectronic marketplace website. The query fingerprint generation module(e.g., 318) may determine a fingerprint for the query based onfingerprint information stored in the query classification database asdiscussed in relation to FIG. 10. The category identification module1008 may then identify various filters for various categories related tothe query based on identified search terms in the query fingerprint andmodify search results presented to the user based on the identifiedfilters. The layout generation module 1004 may organize sub-categoriesand/or filters identified for each category into one or more layoutssuch as a grid layout, a list layout or an image layout. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 23, the category identification module 1008 mayidentify various categories related to the query, ‘running’ such as‘Shoes 2712,’ ‘Running Clothing 2714,’ ‘Electronics 2716,’ ‘Gear 2718,’and the like and identify filters within each of the identifiedcategories. For example, filters related to the category, ‘Shoes 2712,’may include, ‘Competition 2704,’ ‘Light Weight 2706,’ ‘Trail Running2708,’ and ‘Triathlon 2710.’ In the example illustrated in FIG. 27, thefilters in each of the identified categories may be organized in a‘list’ layout and the sub-categories, ‘#1 Best Seller 2720,’ ‘Top Rated2722,’ ‘New & Trending 2724,’ and ‘Special Offer 2728,’ of theidentified categories may be organized in a ‘grid’ layout.

FIG. 28 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which the user may navigate between variousfilers related to a category of a query. In FIG. 28, the exampleenvironment 2800 may be a graphical user interface viewable via abrowser application (e.g., via the browser application 206) on theuser's device. In the illustrated example, a user may select a filter,‘One Person,’ 2804 within a ‘Tent’ category based on a query 2802,‘Tent,’ issued by the user. In one embodiment, the categoryidentification module 1008 may generate an updated set of categories andsub-categories in the search results presented to the user, based on theselected filter. In some embodiments, the category identification module1008 may also generate an updated set of search results 2806corresponding to the selected filter.

FIGS. 29-30 illustrate example flow diagrams showing respectiveprocesses 2900 and 3000 for dynamically modifying search resultspresented to a user by identifying categories related to a query basedon fingerprint information, described herein. These processes areillustrated as logical flow diagrams, each operation of which representsa sequence of operations that can be implemented in hardware, computerinstructions, or a combination thereof. In the context of computerinstructions, the operations represent computer-executable instructionsstored on one or more computer-readable storage media that, whenexecuted by one or more processors, perform the recited operations.Generally, computer-executable instructions include routines, programs,objects, components, data structures and the like that performparticular functions or implement particular data types. The order inwhich the operations are described is not intended to be construed as alimitation, and any number of the described operations can be combinedin any order and/or in parallel to implement the processes.

Additionally, some, any, or all of the processes may be performed underthe control of one or more computer systems configured with executableinstructions and may be implemented as code (e.g., executableinstructions, one or more computer programs, or one or moreapplications) executing collectively on one or more processors, byhardware, or combinations thereof. As noted above, the code may bestored on a computer-readable storage medium, for example, in the formof a computer program including a plurality of instructions executableby one or more processors. The computer-readable storage medium may benon-transitory.

In some examples, the query fingerprint generation and classificationservice 230 (e.g., utilizing at least the query fingerprint generationmodule 318, the query fingerprint classification module 320 and thedynamic network content generation module 322) shown in at least FIG. 3,FIG. 10 (and others) may perform the processes 2900 and 3000 of FIG. 29and FIG. 30 respectively.

FIG. 29 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 2900 formodifying search results presented to a user by identifying categoriesrelated to a query based on fingerprint information related to a query,described herein. The process at 2900 may begin at 2902 by receiving aquery issued by a user of an electronic marketplace. At 2904, theprocess 2900 may include accessing a query classification databasehaving fingerprint information. At 2906, the process 2900 may includedetermining a fingerprint for the query based at least in part on thefingerprint information. At 2908, the process 2900 may includeidentifying a plurality of categories related to the query based on thefingerprint. The manner in which categories related to a query may beidentified based on the query fingerprint is discussed in detail inrelation to FIG. 10. At 2910, the process 2900 may include obtainingsearch results related to the query based at least in part on theplurality of categories. At 2912, the process 2900 may include arranginga plurality of items comprising the search results within each categoryof the plurality of categories in accordance with a layout. At 2914, theprocess 2900 may include providing information for rendering a networkpage comprising the plurality of categories and the plurality of itemswithin each category of the plurality of categories in accordance withthe layout, to the user. In some embodiments, at 2916, the process 2900may include ranking each category of the plurality of categories inaccordance with the number of search results obtained for each category.At 2918, the process 2900 may include organizing each category of theplurality of categories in accordance with the ranking in the networkpage rendered to the user.

FIG. 30 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 3000 formodifying search results presented to a user by identifying categoriesrelated to a query based on fingerprint information related to a query,described herein. The process at 3000 may begin at 3002 by identifying aquery issued by a user of an electronic marketplace. At 3004, theprocess 3000 may include determining a fingerprint for the query. At3006, the process 3000 may include identifying a plurality of filtersrelated to a plurality of categories of the query based on thefingerprint. The manner in which filters related to a category of aquery may be identified based on the query fingerprint is discussed indetail in relation to FIG. 10. At 3008, the process 3000 may includeidentifying an updated set of categories related to the query based onthe selected filter. At 3010, the process 3000 may include providinginformation for rendering a network page comprising the selected filterand the updated set of categories corresponding to the selected filter,to the user.

In accordance with at least some embodiments, the interactive networkregion generation module 1006 may be configured to generate aninteractive network region comprising a plurality of categories relatedto the query in a network page. The layout generation module 1004 may beconfigured to arrange a plurality of items comprising search resultsrelated to the query in accordance with a layout within each category ofthe plurality of categories in the interactive network region. Therendering engine 1010 may be configured to providing information forrendering the network page comprising the interactive network region,the plurality of categories identified in the interactive network regionand the plurality of items within the plurality of categories arrangedin accordance with the layout, to the user.

FIG. 31 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which items of the search results are organizedinto a set of categories in an interactive network region in a networkpage based on fingerprint information related to a query. In FIG. 31,the example environment 3100 may be a graphical user interface viewablevia a browser application (e.g., via the browser application 206) on theuser's device. In the example illustrated in FIG. 23, a user submits asearch query ‘top new music downloads’ via a search query interface 3102provided by the electronic marketplace website. The query fingerprintgeneration module (e.g., 318) may determine a fingerprint for the querybased on fingerprint information stored in the query classificationdatabase. The category identification module 1008 may then identifyvarious categories related to the query based on identified search termsin the query fingerprint as discussed above. As an example, the categoryidentification module 1008 may identify various categories related tothe query, ‘top new music downloads’ such as ‘Top New Releases 3104,’‘Trending 3106,’ ‘For you 3108,’ and the like based on the queryfingerprint and modify the search results presented to the user based onthe identified categories. The layout generation module 1004 may arrangethe items of the search result within each of the identified categoriesin an interactive network region 3110 in accordance with a particularlayout (e.g., a grid layout, a list layout or an image layout).

FIG. 32 is an exemplary illustration of modified search resultspresented to a user in which the user may navigate between variouscategories presented in an interactive network region. In FIG. 32, theexample environment 3200 may be a graphical user interface viewable viaa browser application (e.g., via the browser application 206) on theuser's device. In the illustrated example, a user may select a category,‘Top New Releases 3204,’ from the categories displayed in theinteractive network region. In one embodiment, and as discussed above,the interactive network region generation module 1008 may generate anupdated interactive region specifying additional details 3206, 3208related to the selected category. The rendering engine 1010 may beconfigured to provide information for rendering the updated interactivenetwork region to the user.

FIG. 33 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 3300 formodifying search results presented to a user based on fingerprintinformation related to a query, described herein. The process at 3300may begin at 3302 by receiving a query issued by a user of an electronicmarketplace. At 3304, the process 3300 may include accessing a queryclassification database having fingerprint information. At 3306, theprocess 3300 may include determining a fingerprint for the query basedat least in part on the fingerprint information. At 3308, the process3300 may include identifying a plurality of categories related to thequery based on the fingerprint. The manner in which categories relatedto a query may be identified based on the query fingerprint is discussedin detail in relation to FIG. 10. At 3310, the process 3300 may includegenerating an interactive network region comprising the plurality ofcategories in a network page. At 3312, the process 3300 may includearranging a plurality of items comprising search results related to thequery in accordance with a layout within each category of the pluralityof categories in the interactive network region. At 3314, the process3300 may include providing information for rendering the network pagecomprising the interactive network region, the plurality of categoriesidentified in the interactive network region and the plurality of itemswithin the plurality of categories arranged in accordance with thelayout, to the user. In some embodiments, at 3316, the process 3300 mayinclude receiving a selection of a category from the plurality ofcategories from the user. At 3318, the process 3300 may includegenerating an updated interactive network region based at least in parton the selected category and rendering the updated interactive networkregion to the user.

FIG. 34 illustrates aspects of an example environment 3400 forimplementing aspects in accordance with various embodiments. As will beappreciated, although a Web-based environment is used for purposes ofexplanation, different environments may be used, as appropriate, toimplement various embodiments. The environment includes an electronicclient device 3402, which can include any appropriate device operable tosend and receive requests, messages or information over an appropriatenetwork 3404 and convey information back to a user of the device.Examples of such client devices include personal computers, cell phones,handheld messaging devices, laptop computers, set-top boxes, personaldata assistants, electronic book readers and the like. The network caninclude any appropriate network, including an intranet, the Internet, acellular network, a local area network or any other such network orcombination thereof. Components used for such a system can depend atleast in part upon the type of network and/or environment selected.Protocols and components for communicating via such a network are wellknown and will not be discussed herein in detail. Communication over thenetwork can be enabled by wired or wireless connections and combinationsthereof. In this example, the network includes the Internet, as theenvironment includes a Web server 3406 for receiving requests andserving content in response thereto, although for other networks analternative device serving a similar purpose could be used as would beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The illustrative environment includes at least one application server3408 and a data store 3410. It should be understood that there can beseveral application servers, layers, or other elements, processes orcomponents, which may be chained or otherwise configured, which caninteract to perform tasks such as obtaining data from an appropriatedata store. As used herein the term “data store” refers to any device orcombination of devices capable of storing, accessing and retrievingdata, which may include any combination and number of data servers,databases, data storage devices and data storage media, in any standard,distributed or clustered environment. The application server can includeany appropriate hardware and software for integrating with the datastore as needed to execute aspects of one or more applications for theclient device, handling a majority of the data access and business logicfor an application. The application server provides access controlservices in cooperation with the data store and is able to generatecontent such as text, graphics, audio and/or video to be transferred tothe user, which may be served to the user by the Web server in the formof HyperText Markup Language (“HTML”), Extensible Markup Language(“XML”) or another appropriate structured language in this example. Thehandling of all requests and responses, as well as the delivery ofcontent between the client device 3402 and the application server 3408,can be handled by the Web server. It should be understood that the Weband application servers are not required and are merely examplecomponents, as structured code discussed herein can be executed on anyappropriate device or host machine as discussed elsewhere herein.

The data store 3410 can include several separate data tables, databasesor other data storage mechanisms and media for storing data relating toa particular aspect. For example, the data store illustrated includesmechanisms for storing production data 3412 and user information 3416,which can be used to serve content for the production side. The datastore also is shown to include a mechanism for storing log data 3414,which can be used for reporting, analysis or other such purposes. Itshould be understood that there can be many other aspects that may needto be stored in the data store, such as for page image information andto access right information, which can be stored in any of the abovelisted mechanisms as appropriate or in additional mechanisms in the datastore 3410. The data store 3410 is operable, through logic associatedtherewith, to receive instructions from the application server 3408 andobtain, update or otherwise process data in response thereto. In oneexample, a user might submit a search request for a certain type ofitem. In this case, the data store might access the user information toverify the identity of the user and can access the catalog detailinformation to obtain information about items of that type. Theinformation then can be returned to the user, such as in a resultslisting on a Web page that the user is able to view via a browser on theuser device 3402. Information for a particular item of interest can beviewed in a dedicated page or window of the browser.

Each server typically will include an operating system that providesexecutable program instructions for the general administration andoperation of that server and typically will include a computer-readablestorage medium (e.g., a hard disk, random access memory, read onlymemory, etc.) storing instructions that, when executed by a processor ofthe server, allow the server to perform its intended functions. Suitableimplementations for the operating system and general functionality ofthe servers are known or commercially available and are readilyimplemented by persons having ordinary skill in the art, particularly inlight of the disclosure herein.

The environment in one embodiment is a distributed computing environmentutilizing several computer systems and components that areinterconnected via communication links, using one or more computernetworks or direct connections. However, it will be appreciated by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that such a system could operate equallywell in a system having fewer or a greater number of components than areillustrated in FIG. 34. Thus, the depiction of the system 3400 in FIG.34 should be taken as being illustrative in nature and not limiting tothe scope of the disclosure.

The various embodiments further can be implemented in a wide variety ofoperating environments, which in some cases can include one or more usercomputers, computing devices or processing devices which can be used tooperate any of a number of applications. User or client devices caninclude any of a number of general purpose personal computers, such asdesktop or laptop computers running a standard operating system, as wellas cellular, wireless and handheld devices running mobile software andcapable of supporting a number of networking and messaging protocols.Such a system also can include a number of workstations running any of avariety of commercially-available operating systems and other knownapplications for purposes such as development and database management.These devices also can include other electronic devices, such as dummyterminals, thin-clients, gaming systems and other devices capable ofcommunicating via a network.

Most embodiments utilize at least one network that would be familiar tothose skilled in the art for supporting communications using any of avariety of commercially-available protocols, such as TransmissionControl Protocol/Internet Protocol (“TCP/IP”), Open SystemInterconnection (“OSI”), File Transfer Protocol (“FTP”), Universal Plugand Play (“UpnP”), Network File System (“NFS”), Common Internet FileSystem (“CIFS”) and AppleTalk. The network can be, for example, a localarea network, a wide-area network, a virtual private network, theInternet, an intranet, an extranet, a public switched telephone network,an infrared network, a wireless network and any combination thereof.

In embodiments utilizing a Web server, the Web server can run any of avariety of server or mid-tier applications, including Hypertext TransferProtocol (“HTTP”) servers, FTP servers, Common Gateway Interface (“CGI”)servers, data servers, Java servers and business application servers.The server(s) also may be capable of executing programs or scripts inresponse requests from user devices, such as by executing one or moreWeb applications that may be implemented as one or more scripts orprograms written in any programming language, such as Java®, C, C# orC++, or any scripting language, such as Perl, Python or TCL, as well ascombinations thereof. The server(s) may also include database servers,including without limitation those commercially available from Oracle®,Microsoft®, Sybase® and IBM®.

The environment can include a variety of data stores and other memoryand storage media as discussed above. These can reside in a variety oflocations, such as on a storage medium local to (and/or resident in) oneor more of the computers or remote from any or all of the computersacross the network. In a particular set of embodiments, the informationmay reside in a storage-area network (“SAN”) familiar to those skilledin the art. Similarly, any necessary files for performing the functionsattributed to the computers, servers or other network devices may bestored locally and/or remotely, as appropriate. Where a system includescomputerized devices, each such device can include hardware elementsthat may be electrically coupled via a bus, the elements including, forexample, at least one central processing unit (“CPU”), at least oneinput device (e.g., a mouse, keyboard, controller, touch screen orkeypad) and at least one output device (e.g., a display device, printeror speaker). Such a system may also include one or more storage devices,such as disk drives, optical storage devices and solid-state storagedevices such as random access memory (“RAM”) or read-only memory(“ROM”), as well as removable media devices, memory cards, flash cards,etc.

Such devices also can include a computer-readable storage media reader,a communications device (e.g., a modem, a network card (wireless orwired), an infrared communication device, etc.) and working memory asdescribed above. The computer-readable storage media reader can beconnected with, or configured to receive, a computer-readable storagemedium, representing remote, local, fixed and/or removable storagedevices as well as storage media for temporarily and/or more permanentlycontaining, storing, transmitting and retrieving computer-readableinformation. The system and various devices also typically will includea number of software applications, modules, services or other elementslocated within at least one working memory device, including anoperating system and application programs, such as a client applicationor Web browser. It should be appreciated that alternate embodiments mayhave numerous variations from that described above. For example,customized hardware might also be used and/or particular elements mightbe implemented in hardware, software (including portable software, suchas applets) or both. Further, connection to other computing devices suchas network input/output devices may be employed.

Storage media and computer readable media for containing code, orportions of code, can include any appropriate media known or used in theart, including storage media and communication media, such as but notlimited to volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage and/or transmissionof information such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data, including RAM, ROM, Electrically ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (“EEPROM”), flash memory or other memorytechnology, Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (“CD-ROM”), digital versatiledisk (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices or any othermedium which can be used to store the desired information and which canbe accessed by the a system device. Based on the disclosure andteachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the variousembodiments.

The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, beevident that various modifications and changes may be made thereuntowithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure asset forth in the claims.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present disclosure. Thus,while the disclosed techniques are susceptible to various modificationsand alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereofare shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit thedisclosure to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary,the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructionsand equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure,as defined in the appended claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the disclosed embodiments (especially in thecontext of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both thesingular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearlycontradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,”and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning“including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term“connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within,attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening.Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as ashorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein and eachseparate value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, isintended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the disclosure anddoes not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe disclosure.

Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is intended to be understoodwithin the context as used in general to present that an item, term,etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y,and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to,and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one ofX, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.

Preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure.Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate and the inventors intend for the disclosure to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisdisclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

All references, including publications, patent applications and patents,cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each reference were individually and specifically indicated to beincorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:receiving a query issued by a user of an electronic marketplace;determining a fingerprint for the query based at least in part oncomparing fingerprint information stored in a query classificationdatabase to an action performed by the user in relation to the query by:identifying a number of actions associated with the query, the number ofactions identified as having been performed by other users from whichthe query was received; and generating a vector that represents theaction performed by the user and the number of actions; identifying aplurality of categories related to the query based on the fingerprint;identifying a plurality of sub-categories within each category of theplurality of categories based on the fingerprint by comparing the vectorto vectors assigned to each sub-category of the plurality of categories;arranging the plurality of sub-categories within each category of theplurality of categories in accordance with a layout; providinginformation for rendering a network page comprising the plurality ofcategories and the plurality of sub-categories within each category ofthe plurality of categories in accordance with the layout; and renderingthe network page comprising the plurality of categories in accordancewith a number of search results obtained for each category.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving aselection of a sub-category from the plurality of sub-categories fromthe user; and rendering a network page of search results comprising aplurality of items related to the selected sub-category.
 3. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the fingerprint for thequery is determined based at least in part on identifying one or moreactions performed by a plurality of users of the electronic marketplace.4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the one or moreactions comprise at least one of a re-formulation of the query, a termswap, a term addition, a term deletion, an abandonment of the query, anitem detail page click, a refinement of the query, or a scope change ofthe query.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising: arranging the plurality of sub-categories within eachcategory of the plurality of categories in at least one of a gridlayout, a list layout, or an image layout in the network page.
 6. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: arrangingeach category of the plurality of categories in accordance with thenumber of search results obtained for each category.
 7. One or morenon-transitory computer-readable media collectively storingcomputer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or morecomputer systems, configure the one or more computer systems tocollectively perform operations comprising: receiving a query issued bya user of an electronic marketplace; determining a fingerprint for thequery based at least in part on an action performed by the user inrelation to the query based at least in part on comparing fingerprintinformation stored in a query classification database to the action by:identifying the action performed by the user in relation to the query;and generating a vector that represents the identified action;identifying a plurality of categories related to the query based on thefingerprint; identifying a plurality of sub-categories within eachcategory of the plurality of categories based on the fingerprint bycomparing the vector to vectors assigned to each sub-category of theplurality of categories; arranging the plurality of sub-categorieswithin each category of the plurality of categories in accordance with alayout; modifying search results presented to the user based at least inpart on the layout; and rendering a network page comprising theplurality of categories in accordance with a number of search resultsobtained for each category.
 8. The one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable media of claim 7, further comprising: arranging aplurality of items within each category of the plurality of categoriesin accordance with the layout in the network page rendered to the user.9. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 7,wherein modifying the search results comprises providing information torender the network page comprising the plurality of categories and theplurality of sub-categories within each category of the plurality ofcategories to the user.
 10. The one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable media of claim 7, further comprising: receiving aselection of a sub-category from the plurality of sub-categories fromthe user; and rendering a network page of search results comprising aplurality of items related to the selected sub-category.
 11. The one ormore non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 7, wherein thefingerprint for the query is determined based at least in part onidentifying one or more actions performed by a plurality of users of theelectronic marketplace.
 12. The one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable media of claim 11, wherein the one or more actionscomprise at least one of a re-formulation of the query, a term swap, aterm addition, a term deletion, an abandonment of the query, an itemdetail page click, a refinement of the query, or a scope change of thequery.
 13. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media ofclaim 7, further comprising: arranging the plurality of sub-categorieswithin each category of the plurality of categories in at least one of agrid layout, a list layout, or an image layout in the network page. 14.The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 7,further comprising: arranging each category of the plurality ofcategories in accordance with the number of search results obtained foreach category.
 15. A computerized system comprising: a memory thatstores computer-executable instructions; and at least one processorconfigured to access the memory, the at least one processor configuredto execute the computer-executable instructions to collectively atleast: receive a query issued by a user of an electronic marketplace;determine a fingerprint for the query based at least in part on anaction performed by the user in relation to the query based at least inpart on comparing fingerprint information stored in a queryclassification database to the action by: identifying the actionperformed by the user in relation to the query; and generating a vectorthat represents the identified action; identify a plurality ofcategories related to the query based on the fingerprint; identify aplurality of sub-categories within each category of the plurality ofcategories based on the fingerprint by comparing the vector to vectorsassigned to each sub-category of the plurality of categories; arrangethe plurality of sub-categories within each category of the plurality ofcategories in accordance with a layout; modify search results presentedto the user based at least in part on the layout; and render a networkpage comprising the plurality of categories in accordance with a numberof search results obtained for each category.
 16. The computerizedsystem of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to:arrange a plurality of items within each category of the plurality ofcategories in accordance with the layout in the network page rendered tothe user.
 17. The computerized system of claim 15, wherein modifying thesearch results comprises providing information to render the networkpage comprising the plurality of categories and the plurality ofsub-categories within each category of the plurality of categories tothe user.
 18. The computerized system of claim 15, wherein the processoris further configured to: receive a selection of a sub-category from theplurality of sub-categories from the user; and render a network page ofsearch results comprising a plurality of items related to the selectedsub-category.
 19. The computerized system of claim 15, wherein thefingerprint for the query is determined based at least in part onidentifying one or more actions performed by a plurality of users of theelectronic marketplace.
 20. The computerized system of claim 19, whereinthe one or more actions comprise at least one of a re-formulation of thequery, a term swap, a term addition, a term deletion, an abandonment ofthe query, an item detail page click, a refinement of the query, or ascope change of the query.
 21. The computerized system of claim 15,wherein the processor is further configured to: arrange the plurality ofsub-categories within each category of the plurality of categories in atleast one of a grid layout, a list layout, or an image layout in thenetwork page.
 22. The computerized system of claim 15, wherein theprocessor is further configured to: arrange each category of theplurality of categories in accordance with the number of search resultsobtained for each category.